Okay, so I decided to hit up the Grand Canyon in March. Thought it’d be a good time – fewer crowds, maybe some decent weather. Boy, was I in for a surprise! I’m gonna walk you through what I did to prepare and what I actually experienced, start to finish.
Planning My Trip (Or Lack Thereof)
First things first, I kinda winged it. I mean, I booked a flight and a hotel near the South Rim, but that was about it. I did a quick Google search for “Grand Canyon weather in March” – saw some averages, you know, highs in the 50s, lows in the 20s. “Cool, cool,” I thought, “I’ll pack some layers.” Famous last words, right?
Packing My Bags (And Regretting It Later)
So, based on my super-thorough research (ha!), I packed a mix of stuff:
- A couple of t-shirts
- One pair of jeans, one pair of hiking pants
- A light jacket, a fleece, a heavier coat (just in case)
- Hiking boots (thank goodness for those)
- A beanie and gloves (also lifesavers)
I figured this would cover all my bases. I was wrong, so very wrong.
The Grand Canyon Reality Check
Got to the Grand Canyon, and BAM! It was way colder than I expected. The wind was whipping, and that “high in the 50s” thing? Yeah, that was maybe for like an hour in the afternoon, if you were lucky, and stood directly in the sun, perfectly still. The rest of the time, it felt closer to freezing, especially in the mornings and evenings.
My “light jacket” did absolutely nothing. I ended up wearing pretty much every layer I brought, all at the same time, most of the time. My poor planning turned into a real struggle to stay warm. I saw some other folks bundled up like they were going to the Arctic, and I was instantly jealous.
Adjusting on the Fly (and Buying More Gear)
I quickly realized my mistake. So, what did I do? I hit up the gift shop, naturally. I ended up buying a super-warm, overpriced, touristy Grand Canyon sweatshirt. Best. Decision. Ever. Okay, maybe not the best, but it definitely helped me not freeze. I also grabbed an extra pair of socks because, well, my feet were cold.
What I Should Have Done (Lessons Learned)
Looking back, I was a bit of an idiot. Here’s what I should have done:
- Checked multiple weather sources: Not just a quick glance at some averages. I should have looked at detailed forecasts, hourly breakdowns, the whole shebang.
- Packed for extremes: Instead of “layers,” I should have thought “winter gear, plus some lighter stuff.” A proper winter coat, thermal underwear, thick socks – the works.
- Considered the wind chill: The wind at the Grand Canyon is no joke. It makes a huge difference in how cold it feels.
- Asked people who’d been there: I should have hit up some travel forums or asked friends who’d visited in March for advice.
So, yeah, the Grand Canyon in March? Beautiful, breathtaking, and potentially freezing. Don’t be like me. Pack smart, and you’ll have an amazing time. Don’t pack smart, and you’ll still have an amazing time, you will just be a little colder, and will have purchased a souvenir sweatshirt you may or may not have wanted!
